8 Reasons You’ll Benefit to Join a Gym

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderately intense aerobic exercise every week — but less than half of all Americans do so. We can all find lots of excuses for not getting our bodies in motion, but there’s an equally compelling list of reasons why we should do so.

Whether you want to lose weight, tone up or improve your overall health, resolutions are the top reason people of all fitness levels decide to join a conveniently located gym. Here are eight reasons why a gym membership is a really good idea.

1. Get Healthy
A gym encourages you to do a balanced program that includes both aerobic and strength training exercises. These promote heart health and weight loss and improve muscle strength, balance and flexibility. If weight loss is a primary goal, consider the mantra of a friend who tells me “nothing tastes as good as getting in shape feels.”

2. Find Support and Motivation
Some people really enjoy exercise; for others, it’s a chore. If you fall into that latter group, being surrounded by other people who are in the same boat can provide the incentive you need to make exercise part of your regular routine. Your initial intention might be to drag yourself to the gym twice a week. Once you find your rhythm, you may end up going on a more regular basis, which will help make your goals more attainable.

3. Get Stress Relief
According to the Mayo Clinic, virtually any form of exercise can act as a stress reliever. Physical activity boosts the brain’s production of endorphins, which simply makes us feel better physically and have a brighter emotional outlook. Exercise reduces tensions in both the body and the mind, which can improve your mood and the quality of your sleep.

4. Learn from the Pros
Many gyms now have professional trainers on staff. They are trained to design exercise programs that fit your individual needs in a fun and safe way, showing you proper exercise techniques so that you don’t hurt yourself and that you get the most out of each exercise routine.

5. Sample the Variety
One of the big advantages a gym has over your home gym is the wide array of weights, machines, and exercise classes. This gives you the opportunity to try new equipment and vary your routine. If you do the same each day, your body builds a type of muscle memory and the gains you make are incrementally decreased. Finding different ways to exercise the same muscle groups can improve the quality of your workout.

6. Learn from Each Other
Inevitably you’ll see the people around you doing exercises that are new and may look sort of fun. You can borrow and learn from others, but with this caveat: make sure you learn proper technique so that you don’t injure yourself. Most people are happy to share the knowledge they’ve acquired. Ask them what that exercise is meant to accomplish and about the proper form to do it right.

7. Sweat Together
Many people find exercise classes to be the most efficient and fun way to get a full body workout. You can do everything from Aqua Arthritis \ to Zumba, and from kickboxing to yoga. There’s usually an energetic leader to help provide you with some extra energy and motivation. Many people have to get over the hump initially of being the class newbie, where it seems like you’re the only one who doesn’t know the right steps or positions. Don’t worry. They are concentrating on their own form and not watching yours.

8. Get Going
If you’re serious about losing weight and getting in better shape, there’s no better time to start than right now. The longer you put it off, the more excuses you’ll come up with. And if one of your goals is to rock the swim suit next summer, you’re going to need three to six months to see the gains. It doesn’t happen overnight.

If you do decide to take the plunge and join a gym consult with your doctor, just to make sure that certain exercise programs are not going to do more harm than good. Go slow at the start to avoid injuries, which can discourage you from returning to the gym next week.